In the build up to UFC 207, Amanda Nunes remained stoic in the face of clear favoritism towards Ronda Rousey and a lack of promotion by the UFC. But immediately after she beat the brakes off Rousey, Nunes got on the mic with Joe Rogan and began letting loose saying, “Thanks Ronda Rousey but right now I’m the shark. I’m the champion and I’m here to stay. People let’s stop this Ronda Rousey nonsense, I’m the champion.”

Many viewed Nunes’ post-fight speech as frustration boiling over at the love for Rousey despite Nunes status as the best bantamweight alive. Well that may be true as in a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Nunes showed disdain for Rousey’s skills and expressed disbelief that the former champion was ever as successful as she was.

“I don’t know how Ronda Rousey went too far in this division. Honestly, I don’t understand why those girls lost to Ronda Rousey. I know since my first fight in the UFC I can beat Ronda Rousey, but of course I have to take my time and put everything together. That day was the day to prove to everybody and I did it.”

That she did. Nunes stopped Rousey in 48 seconds in one of the most vicious beatdowns of the year.

It may also have been the final performance for the most important female mixed martial artist of all time. The general consensus is that Rousey’s likely done with fighting after suffering back-to-back demoralizing thrashings and many think it’s a good idea, including Nunes who said as much in her post-fight press conference.

If Rousey does hang up the gloves though, Nunes says it won’t be as the greatest female fighter of all time. Despite Rousey holding wins over five currently ranked bantamweights, including wins over two women with stoppage victories over her, Nunes is adamant that Rousey was overrated and exposed as a product of the UFC hype machine.

“Yes, for sure [Rousey is overrated]. The UFC make this happen. They put her in a place where she’s not at. But I know I can beat Ronda Rousey since I saw her first fight.”

MUST-READ STORIES

He’s coming back. Brock Lesnar was suspended by USADA for one year.

So say we all. Kayla Harrison thinks Ronda Rousey needs to change up her coaching.

Rescued. Bryan Caraway is injured and out of his upcoming fight with Jimmie Rivera.

Belief. Marlon Moraes believes he can beat anyone in the UFC, including Cody Garbrandt.

Sub of the Year. Miesha Tate tapping Holly Holm was MMA Fighting’s Submission of the Year.

TODAY IN MMA HISTORY

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s still baffling to me how mad people can get about completely subjective awards. Submission of the Year was a pretty clear cut pick for us (9 or 13 first place votes, everybody had it in their top 5) but people got mad heated about it. It was the obvious sub of the year to me as a combination of significance and awesome. Dern pretzeling up some poor no name was fun as hell but would we give SOTY to somebody popping off a flying gogo on a rando in Xplode Fight Series? Dern winning would essentially the same thing. That being said, if it or Rothwell or Diaz won, they were all great subs. Basically, if you can’t at least listen to an argument that Tate miracle tapping Holm to take the belt despite being essentially written off as a fighter, or for any of the top contenders really, then you’re taking things way too seriously.

Can’t wait to see the flak we catch for KO of the Year.

Take it easy and see y’all tomorrow.

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, just hit me up on Twitter @JedKMeshew and let me know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting because we post dope things and you should enjoy them.